Page 55 of Welcome Home, Cowboy
“That’s a step up in my book,” she said.
Parking, he looked at her. “Just don’t tell anyone, okay? If Mel Harris catches wind that there’s hope for me, she might start showing up at the gas pump next to mine again.”
“The gas station, too?” Julie laughed. “Are you sure you don’t want to give her another chance?”
“Not my type,” he said, unfastening his seatbelt.
“If not Mel, then who is your type?” It was a stupid question because she didn’t really need to know. The only reason she’d need to know was to see if she matched the description. But they had an arrangement—friends and lovers. And she liked this new arrangement.
“My type?” He was looking at her, long and hard, making no move to open his truck door and get out. “I’d say my type is blond. With green eyes. Fair skin, a lot like yours. She’d like hokey stuff, like yoga.”
Julie swallowed. She’d been hoping he’d say as much. “I see.”
“So, what do you say? Can I take you out for a slice of cake and a walk on the pier?”
She nodded. “I’d like that.”
“Good.” He opened his door and got out, walking around to the passenger side. “Well then, darling, let’s go have our cake. And if you decide that you don’t want chocolate tonight, just say the word. It’s lady’s choice.”
She took his hand, allowing him to help her from the truck, then walked by his side across the street, thinking about his words.
Lady’s choice.
At the moment, the thing her heart was beginning to want most didn’t feel like a choice at all.
“This is the best celebration I’ve ever had,” she said fifteen minutes later, seated on a wooden bench on the pier. “Thanks for this.”
“It’s no big deal.”
But it was a big deal. “You know, every time I think I have you pegged, you surprise me.”
He grinned, softening his tough demeanor and showing off a smear of chocolate on the corner of his mouth.
“You have, um…” She laughed a little.
“What?”
With his rugged good looks and trademark hat, he should’ve looked ridiculous. Instead, he just looked delicious. “Chocolate. You have chocolate on your face.”
He wiped a hand across his mouth, only smearing it further. He tried again as she shook her head and laughed harder.
“Let me,” she finally said, reaching up to touch his face. Time seemed to slow as she did. He watched her, his smile faltering.
“There.” She started to pull her hand away, but he stopped her.
“I believe that chocolate is mine.” He covered her finger with his mouth, taking the chocolate and making her entire body sizzle with awareness.
“Um…” She gave way to nervous laughter, pulling her gaze, and her hand, from his.
He reached an index finger to her chin, urging her to look at him again. It was such an innocent gesture, but it felt like the best kind of foreplay. Every touch from him felt like the best she’d ever had.
“Congratulations,” he said. “Let’s make a toast.”
“Okay.” She grabbed her Styrofoam cup of hot cocoa and tapped it against his raised one.
“To new beginnings. And friends.”
“New beginnings and friends,” she repeated. They’d advanced well past friendship, though.
